Lex Med Blog

Two of Lexington Medical Center’s cardiac rehabilitation programs and the hospital’s pulmonary rehabilitation program have received prestigious certification from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). The certification demonstrates that LMC’s cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are aligned with current evidence-based medicine and guidelines for appropriate and effective outpatient care of patients with cardiac issues.

Lexington Medical Center’s cardiac rehabilitation programs at the main hospital campus and at the hospital’s community medical center in Lexington received the certification. Cardiac Rehabilitation in Irmo just opened last year and must wait until next year to apply. Lexington Medical Center also achieved certification for its pulmonary rehabilitation program at the main hospital campus.

The goals of cardiac rehabilitation are to help patients recover from cardiac incidents, such as heart attack, stents or bypass surgery, and to help prevent another cardiac incident by developing healthy lifestyle habits through education and support.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is designed to help patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis and other chronic respiratory conditions. Using exercise and education, it enables patients to increase their strength and endurance, improve their breathing and reduce shortness of breath. The program also helps them deal with the anxiety and depression often associated with living with chronic respiratory conditions.

“This national certification ensures that our cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs provide all of the required components to assist patients in achieving these goals,” said John Leech, manager of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. “Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Lexington Medical Center are comprehensive programs with exercise, education, motivation and support that leads to the best possible outcomes.”

AACVPR-certified programs are awarded program certification after an extensive application process that details the program’s structure, individualized care plans, staff competencies and outcomes measurement. Certified programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available.

“We’re meeting a high level of patient care,” said Lesa Naughton, clinical coordinator of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Lexington Medical Center’s community medical center in Lexington. “Cardiac rehabilitation saves lives.”

The Lexington Medical Center Foundation plans to raise $3 million to make revolutionary new breast cancer equipment available throughout the hospital’s network of care. The Lexington Medical Center Foundation is about to launch the “Campaign for Clarity,” a capital campaign to upgrade all of its current mammography equipment to 3-D technology. 3-D mammography will become the standard of care at Lexington Medical Center.

Currently, Lexington Medical Center offers 3-D mammography in two locations — at Women’s Imaging on the main campus in West Columbia, and at Sandhills Women’s Care, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice in Northeast Columbia.

The campaign will allow the hospital to purchase software and equipment to make 3-D mammography also available at Vista Women’s Healthcare, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice; Lexington Medical Center Chapin; Lexington Medical Center Irmo; Lexington Medical Center Lexington; and in its mobile mammography van that serves local businesses and the hospital’s rural community medical centers.

“We’re very excited to make 3-D mammography a reality for all patients at Lexington Medical Center,” said Barbara Willm, vice president of Community Relations and Development at Lexington Medical Center. “Until we can find a cure for breast cancer, we can make early detection our top priority.”

Also known as ‘tomosynthesis,’ 3-D mammography creates a group of three-dimensional pictures of the breast and allows doctors to view tissue one millimeter at a time, making tiny details visible earlier and easier.

“Patients will find that 3-D mammography is no different from the mammogram they are accustomed to as far as compression, positioning and time,” said Jennifer Linfert, MD, FACOG, an OB/GYN at Sandhills Women’s Care. “The benefit to patients is that the multiple layers of images resulting from 3-D mammography can help doctors better evaluate the breast tissue.”

3-D mammography uses a low dose X-ray to create multiple images within seconds that are similar to the “slices” of images in a CT scan. The FDA-approved procedure uses the same type of equipment as a 2-D mammogram and a similar dose of radiation. Studies have shown that 3-D mammography also reduces false positives and unnecessary callbacks for patients with dense breast tissue.

To learn more about the “Campaign for Clarity” or to contribute to the campaign, visit LMCFoundation.com or call (803) 791-2540.